Latest: Colchester Deny Selling Star Yeates

Colchester United have today denied reports that star Mark Yeates has already signed for Championship side Middlesbrough.

Yesterday Vital Colchester reported how both Sky Sports and Irish-based paper, The Herald, claimed that the winger was undergoing a medical in the North East, saying the he would sign for an initial £500,000, possibly rising to £750,000.

This morning`s Northern Echo quotes U`s Chief Executive, Steve Bradshaw, who said: "We are aware of Middlesbrough`s interest.

"It will take a sizeable commitment from Middlesbrough to prize him away from us. We are desperate not to lose Mark because we feel he is part of our future. We will do everything we can to keep him. But the chairman doesn`t want to stand in the way of players if they get a fantastic opportunity."

Today`s Daily Star however has a piece which reckons the winger will be a Middlesbrough player by early next week after the suspected last-ditch attempt by United to keep him in Essex.

The Middlesbrough local Evening Gazette say Gareth Southgate has also told them Yeates is not yet officially a Middlesbrough player, as was previously believed. The paper has no direct quotes from the manager but indicates the club`s "strong interest" in the player.

Eric Paylor`s reporting however isn`t very convincing, however: "It`s probable that Southgate would like to bring him to the Boro if at all possible."

There is now also new talk that Sheffield United, Bristol City and Crystal Palace may try to hijack any Boro bid for the player, 24, by making Colchester a counter offer.

More on this as it develops.


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